James Pistilli, the Staten Island legislative representative for the American Cancer Society, spoke to the efficacy of research: “There have been major strides since 1991, the cancer mortality rates have come down because of ACS policy securing funding for the National Institutes of Health; now there are over 11 million survivors.”

He endorsed ACS’ message of “celebrating more birthdays” — something Islanders should note, he said, because the borough has the highest cancer death rate in the city.

It’s incumbent on ACS to “celebrate with action,” he said, because the funding, which has led directly to major advancements in cancer detection, treatment and patient care over the last 10 years, is threatened.

Dr. Frank Forte, director of oncology at SIUH, stated that the research has made it possible to treat patients more individually, instead of prescribing “chemo across the board.”

According to Pistilli and College of Staten Island research professor Dr. Jimmie E. Fata, research funding is targeted for cuts to achieve deficit reduction, when, in fact, “in 2010, NIH produced 69.28 billion in new economic activity and created 485,000 jobs.”

Dr. Fata, a breast cancer and biology researcher, will be affected by funding cuts because his lab requires the money to buy new equipment, conduct experiments and pay salaries. He said the funding he has received was essential to the discovery of a plant that contains an extract that can kill cancer cells. The funding also allowed him and his research team to generate a new tool for detecting cervical lesions.

Dr. Fata praised Island and city elected officials for the support they have extended to him.

Pistilli will be traveling to Washington D.C., on Sunday, joining congressional representatives and senators from all 50 states, to spread the message of keeping cancer on the decline by not cutting federal funding for cancer research. He says that money for cancer research “must be a top priority in the 2012 budget.”

On Tuesday, Pistilli will deliver and read “messages of hope” written by cancer survivors and family members about treatment that saved lives.